Scarpa has been leading the way in recent years in developing versatile ski boots, and with the help of one of the world’s leading ski mountaineers, Chris Davenport lending his insight to the design process, the Freedom SL is the definer of the category. The boot combines high-performance, light weight and wide range of cuff motion to create a best-in-class Freeride ski boot using Pebax and carbon-fiber construction. A Carbon Core Technology build yields a 120-flex index and alpine performance, paired with 27 degrees of cuff range, all at 3 pounds, 15 ounces per boot. Swappable soles that are bolted through the carbon fiber frame offer compatibility with any ski binding, from alpine to tech bindings, in a design that improves strength and power transfer to the ski. The boot comes with the Vibram Mountain Plus sole, a lugged sole that offers compatibility with any alpine-touring binding, including tech bindings, and the Vibram Mountain Piste Sole, a DIN compatible for use in alpine bindings, is available as an accessory. Inside, the Intuition liner puts the world’s most resilient, lightest and warmest thermo-moldable foam into a sophisticated multi-density alpine-style liner designed to match the power and tourability of the boot. Men’s and women’s specific sizes $769. www.scarpa.com